Eight people, including several believed to be high-ranking members of a motorcycle gang, have been indicted on accusations they operated a drug trafficking ring in the Denver area.
The indictments were announced Wednesday by the Colorado Attorney General’s Office and follow a nearly five-month- long investigation, code-named “Operation Tick and Flea Collar.”
The operation targeted a group accused of violating the Colorado Organized Crime and Control Act because of their alleged involvement in trafficking “large quantities” of methamphetamine, firearm possession violations, money laundering and conspiracy, the office said.
Those indicted include Philip Lee Duran, 40, Lorenzo Leuis Sojo, 39, and Michael Derek Mensen, 45, the purported leaders of the trafficking operation.
Duran remained at-large on Wednesday until he was taken into custody during a traffic stop in Arvada, the office said.
“Under Duran’s leadership, this group sourced its drug supply from a variety of wholesale distributors and then sold them throughout the Denver-metro area,” Attorney General Cynthia Coffman said in a statement. “Law enforcement agencies across Colorado again coordinated to interrupt a drug-trafficking operation run by the Bandidos Motorcycle Club, which is well known for its use of violence and intimidation.”
Authorities say they seized more than two-and-a-half pounds of methamphetamine worth roughly $40,000 as part of the sting.
The Metro Gang Task Force, the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration were all part of the investigation.
Jesse Paul: 303-954-1733, jpaul@denverpost.com or
Those indicted:
– Philip Lee Duran, 40
– Michael Derek Mensen, 45
– Hugo Vaca, 36
– Nicholas Murillo, 23
– Julieann Nicole Linebarger, 34
– Erika Navarette, 25
– Zackaria Bengheshir, 31
– Lorenzo Leuis Sojo, 39
